Authorities have dropped charges against two hospital security guards that alleged the pair
operated a tuition reimbursement scam.

Robert Fulper, 34, an
ex-security director at the former WarrenHospital in Phillipsburg, and Bruce Sutton, 54, a former
security guard at the hospital, no longer face allegations that they cashed and
split tuition checks meant for courses at LionInvestigationAcademy
in Freemansburg.

Fulper said he’s waited more than two years for the truth to
be realized.

“I don’t consider myself a strong person, but I do believe in
the truth,” he said. “I never would have stolen from my WarrenHospital family, never.”

Police arrested Fulper on Sept. 1, 2010, after the alleged scheme was reported to authorities.
Sutton told police Fulper solicited his help from July 2007 to September
2008 in collecting nearly $7,450 in tuition checks, according to documents
obtained today by The Express-Times.

At the time of his arrest, Fulper was no longer working at
what is now St. Luke's Hospital in Phillipsburg. He was fired in 2009 for unrelated reasons. Hospital officials
did not immediately return calls for additional information.

“My client never wavered in his
position and hoping that justice would be served,” defense attorney Jeff
Russo said.

Police arrested Sutton on Nov. 4, 2011, after he was indicted in connection with
the alleged scam. He continued to work for the hospital until at least March 2011, when
he was featured in the hospital’s newsletter for receiving an award for helping
a patient.

Sutton declined to comment on the charges being dropped and would
not indicate if he still works for the hospital.

“While it took time, we respect the prosecutor’s decision,”
said Sutton’s attorney, Leonard Artigliere. “They did a complete and thorough
investigation.”

The two men had repeatedly rejected plea deals from the prosecutor’s
office, most recently in July when both declined offers of no prison time in exchange for reduced charges. Warren County Prosecutor Richard Burke did not
return calls for comment.

“I feel vindicated knowing
that this fallacy was proven true by the prosecutor’s request to dismiss the
charges,” Fulper said in a prepared statement. “I am hopeful that the petty,
vindictive actions of those that took part in this calculated attack on my
character will someday be held accountable for their irreparable damage.”